Novelty tray and cushion

ABSTRACT

A tray/cushion assembly ( 10 ) holds a drink container ( 13 ) positioned in a cup holder recess ( 14 ). Handles ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) facilitate the carrying of the cushion ( 10 ) as a tray. The tray may be an inflatable tray rolled up and housed in transport container when deflated. The container may be two parts coupled together. The assembly is used as promotional item at sporting events

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a multi-purpose cushion and in particular butnot limited to a multi-purpose cushion assembly which may be utilised atsporting events.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many sporting events take place in a stadium, these include cricket,football, rugby league and so on, and it is usual for those stadiums tocomprise of tiered system of seating. Seating often employs a fixedbackrest and an automatically retractable seat. The retractable seatenables the passage of persons along a row of seats and then the seat isfolded down so that the person can sit down on the seat. Due to theeconomies of space and cost, the seating and backrest are usually of arelatively rigid plastic and must also be robust enough to withstand therigours of excited patrons at any particular event. Consequently, theseats are made to last and therefore are not made especially forcomfort.

In addition to this, leg room is limited and it is often difficult orinconvenient for a patron to access a seat in the middle of a row pastthose patrons who are already seated. Beverages are often sold at gamevenues and there are limitations as to the number of cups or drinkcontainers that a patron may carry back to his or her seat. The need topass other patrons already seated can create a situation whereby drinksare accidentally spilt notwithstanding that trays may be provided at thegame venue. Provision of trays to carry drinks provides an additionalcost burden to outlets at the venue.

A search of the patent literature reveals prior art as follows: DE29622696 describes a cushion for use at sporting events where thecushion has a glove section so that it may be worn on the handconfigured as an oversize hand. DE 202005011601 describes a flat cushionfor use at sporting events, the cushion has a slot for the fingers andthumb holes so that it may be easily handled. DE 298 18 152 describes aninflatable cushion with a valve and six evenly spaced holes. DE 10 2004029711 describes a cushion and tray combination for use at sportingevents having foam centre sandwiched between inflatable sides.

While these arrangement provide a cushion and tray which may includeadvertising or other surface printing they are not compact and do notmake any provision for storage or transport. AU 200071793 on the otherhand provides a convertible seat bag where a cushion is formed as partof a carry bag with handles and a lid and pockets.

The above described prior art suffers form a number of disadvantages andaccordingly it is an object of the present invention to alleviate thesedisadvantages at least to some degree by providing a tray to carrybeverages that also doubles as a cushion and which may be easilycarried. Another object ids to provide a tray to carry beverages thatalso doubles as a cushion which may be easily carried, stored andtransported when not in use.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect there is provide a tray and cushion assembly comprisingcushion material enabling the assembly to be utilised as a cushion uponwhich a patron may sit while watching a game or activity at a venue, theassembly also comprising a number of recesses adapted to hold a drinkcontainer in the assembly such that the cushion may also be utilised asa tray for the carriage of drinks, the assembly having handle meansenabling the tray to be safely carried, the handle means comprisingfirst and second handles at opposite sides of the assembly.

Preferably, the assembly comprises cushion material enabling theassembly to be utilised as a cushion upon which a patron may sit whilewatching a game or activity at a venue, the assembly also comprising anumber of recesses adapted to hold a drink container in the assemblysuch that the cushion may also be utilised as a tray for the carriage ofdrinks, the recesses comprising spaced apart cup holders distributed forbalance.

Preferably, the assembly comprises cushion material enabling theassembly to be utilised as a cushion upon which a patron may sit whilewatching a game or activity at a venue, the assembly also comprising anumber of recesses adapted to hold a drink container in the assemblysuch that the cushion may also be utilised as a tray for the carriage ofdrinks, the recesses comprising spaced apart cup holders distributed forbalance, the cup holders being able to positively hold a cup.

Preferably, the assembly includes a handle positioned and a display sothat the assembly may also be utilised as a sign held up by the patronto celebrate a scoring result at a game.

Preferably, the cushion may be utilised as a cushion to sit on, a trayto carry drinks and, additionally, as a device to be held up by thepatron to indicate scoring activity, at least one of the handles beingpositioned so that the sign is automatically right way up when thecushion is held up by the handle.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container, the container being a cylinder.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container, the container being configuredas a promotional article, for example the container may be in the shapeof a football, cricket ball, wheel and so on.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container, the container being in twoparts being a base and cap coupled together.

Preferably, the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated bythe user blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container the container having a clasp andstrap to enable it to be carried.

In another aspect there is provided an inflatable tray assembly andcontainer for holding the deflated tray, the tray having spaced apartcup holders. The inflatable tray may have first and second handles atopposite sides of the tray. In this embodiment the container may be acylinder. Preferably, in this embodiment the tray is packaged in arolled up deflated state in the container, the container being configureas a promotional article, for example the container may be in the shapeof a football, cricket ball, wheel and so on. Preferably, in thisembodiment the tray is packaged in a rolled up deflated state in thecontainer, the container being in two parts being a base and cap coupledtogether. Preferably, in this embodiment the tray is packaged in arolled up deflated state in the container, the container having a claspand strap to enable it to be carried.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood andbe put into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention and wherein:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating application of the presentinvention as a tray;

FIG. 2 illustrates use of the present invention as a seat and as a tray;

FIG. 3 is a plan view;

FIG. 4 is a section through 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate use of the tray cushion as a sign;

FIG. 8 illustrates modes by which the cushion may be carried;

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment;

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 illustrate further embodiments;

FIGS. 14 to 17 are respective top, side underside and end viewsillustrating an inflatable embodiment; and

FIGS. 18 to 21 are respective front, exploded side views and perspective(showing the parts separated) of packaging of the inflatable embodimentof FIGS. 14 to 17.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isillustrated a tray/cushion 10 shown located on a terrace seat 11 and auser 12 seated on a cushion 10 and also utilising a cushion 10 in itsupside down position to carry drinks as a tray. As shown in FIG. 1, adrink container 13 is positioned in a cup holder recess 14, four ofwhich are shown in FIG. 1.

Due to the relative size of the container 13, which would normally be aplastic cup and the slightly smaller diameter of the recess 14 and theresilient material from which the cushion 10 is made, the cup 13 ispositively held by reason of the elasticity of the material from whichthe surrounding edges 15 of the cup holder 14 is made.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, handles 16 and 17 facilitatethe carrying of the cushion 10 as a tray with either two hands or onehanded as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the tray in greater detail and like numeralshave been used to illustrate like features. The depth of the cup holders14 is variable depending upon the nature and configuration of the cuputilised. As can be seen in FIG. 5, an alternative to the materialcomprising resilience or in combination therewith the cups may utilise asuitable taper at 18 so that at the peripheral rim portion 19 of the cupholders, that portion of the rim may be the portion which is used topositively hold the cup in position as illustrated in FIG. 5. Othercombinations of features may be used to positively hold a cup.

The cushion may be in any particular colour. It may typically berepresented in the colours of the team being supported at the venue.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a further application of the cushion accordingto the present invention where it is configured as a sign in relation tothe game of cricket. In FIG. 6 the numeral 6 is shown on one side of thecushion and in FIG. 7 the numeral 4 is shown on the opposite side. Thenumeral 6 represents a scoring shot in cricket whereby the batsman hascleared the boundary thereby scoring six runs and in FIG. 7 the numeral4 is a scoring shot whereby the batsman has caused the cricket ball toreach the boundary, thus scoring four. Supporters may thereby stand andeasily grasp the handle and immediately show the scoring shot and cheerthat result. It will be appreciated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 that theposition of the handle results in the numeral 6 or the numeral 4 beingthe right way up. It will also be appreciated that the figures showopposite sides of the same cushion, with 4 on one side and 6 on theother.

FIG. 8 illustrates the convenient ways in which a cushion according tothe present invention may carried to the venue for use at the venue. Amore compact arrangement is also illustrated whereby in this case acushion 20 is made in two halves, 21 and 22, with a hinge 23. It will beappreciated with the hinge position 23 as shown that the tray when movedto an open position will be self supported for the purpose of use as atray due to the hinged position. Thus in the configuration of FIG. 9 thetray may be closed by use of a simple clip or perhaps even loop and pilefasteners on the inside surfaces at 24 and 25. There may be loop andpile fasteners on the surfaces 26 and 27 or other equivalent means toretain the cushion in its operative position as a tray. Cup holders 28and 29 in this embodiment are on the outside but may equally be on theinside.

As further illustrated in FIG. 9, the cup holders may utilise anyfrictional means to positively hold a cup in place. In the illustratedembodiment a serrated arrangement at 30 is illustrated.

Subject to the material employed for the construction of the cushion itmay be desirable to include an insert or the like to provide additionalsupport for the tray aspect and this is illustrated generally by thedotted line at 31 in FIG. 8.

The cushion according to the present invention may be in any suitableshape that enables it to be utilised as a cushion and tray. It may becircular or oval as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12 or it may be in ageneral form of a country as illustrated in FIG. 11 where it comprisesthe United States or in FIG. 13 where it comprises Australia.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 17 there is illustrated an inflatable tray50 which may also be used as a cushion, the tray is basically the sameshape as the previous embodiment including four drink holders 51 whichare pleated to aid in the holding of drink container and two handles 52that extend right through the tray. The tray may include other featuresincluding a dished central section at 53 so that it may be used to servesnacks or carry other items in the middle between the drinks.

In order that the inflatable tray may be carried while deflated it ispreferable that it be put in a container 54 of the type illustrated inFIGS. 18 to 21. As best seen in FIG. 21 the tray is rolled up and in itsrolled up state projects from the base 55 but may be covered by screwingthe cap 56 onto the base. A clasp 57 is provide secured to the cap.

As can be seen the packaging may be carry the theme of the event, inthis case a motor racing event, where a wheel shape having correspondingpattern and ornamentation is employed.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of thepresent invention many variations and modifications thereto will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broadambit and scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

1. A tray and cushion assembly comprising cushion material enabling theassembly to be utilised as a cushion upon which a patron may sit whilewatching a game or activity at a venue, the assembly also comprising anumber of recesses adapted to hold a drink container in the assemblysuch that the cushion may also be utilised as a tray for the carriage ofdrinks, the assembly having handle means enabling the tray to be safelycarried, the handle means comprising first and second handles atopposite sides of the assembly.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1wherein the assembly comprises cushion material enabling the assembly tobe utilised as a cushion upon which a patron may sit while watching agame or activity at a venue, the assembly also comprising a number ofrecesses adapted to hold a drink container in the assembly such that thecushion may also be utilised as a tray for the carriage of drinks, therecesses comprising spaced apart cup holders distributed for balance. 3.An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises cushionmaterial enabling the assembly to be utilised as a cushion upon which apatron may sit while watching a game or activity at a venue, theassembly also comprising a number of recesses adapted to hold a drinkcontainer in the assembly such that the cushion may also be utilised asa tray for the carriage of drinks, the recesses comprising spaced apartcup holders distributed for balance, the cup holders being able topositively hold a cup.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein theassembly includes a handle positioned and a display so that the assemblymay also be utilised as a sign held up by the patron to celebrate ascoring result at a game.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe assembly may be utilised as a cushion to sit on, a tray to carrydrinks and, additionally, as a device to be held up by the patron toindicate scoring activity, at least one of the handles being positionedso that the sign is automatically right way up when the cushion is heldup by the handle.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein theassembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by the user blowinginto a valve in the tray.
 7. An assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by the userblowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in a rolled updeflated state in a container.
 8. An assembly according to claim 1wherein the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by theuser blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container, the container being a cylinder.9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is aninflatable tray which may be inflated by the user blowing into a valvein the tray, the tray being packaged in a rolled up deflated state in acontainer, the container being configured as a promotional article, forexample the container may be in the shape of a football, cricket ball,wheel and so on.
 10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein theassembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by the user blowinginto a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in a rolled updeflated state in a container, the container being in two parts being abase and cap coupled together.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1wherein the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by theuser blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in a container the container having a clasp andstrap to enable it to be carried.
 12. An inflatable tray assembly andcontainer for holding the deflated tray, the tray when inflated havingspaced apart cup holders.
 13. An inflatable tray assembly according toclaim 13 wherein the inflatable tray has first and second handles atopposite sides of the assembly.
 14. An assembly according to claim 12wherein the assembly is an inflatable tray which may be inflated by theuser blowing into a valve in the tray, the tray being packaged in arolled up deflated state in the container.
 15. An assembly according toclaim 12 wherein the container is a cylinder.
 16. An assembly accordingto claim 12 wherein the tray is packaged in a rolled up deflated statein the container, the container being configure as a promotionalarticle, for example the container may be in the shape of a football,cricket ball, wheel and so on.
 17. An assembly according to claim 12wherein the tray is packaged in a rolled up deflated state in thecontainer, the container being in two parts being a base and cap coupledtogether.
 18. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the tray ispackaged in a rolled up deflated state in the container, the containerhaving a clasp and strap to enable it to be carried.